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Things to do after you get to Madison

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Things to do after you get to Madison

Things to do after you get to Madison

1. The first thing to do is to visit the department and inform the Graduate Secretary about your arrival.
2. Meet your advisor next. Even if you have not been assigned an advisor, try to meet the department graduate student advisor.
3. Inform an ISS advisor in 716 Langdon Street, Room 217 (refer to the campus map) about your arrival. ISS conducts “Orientation Programs for new students”. Make sure you register and attend one of them. For more information look into the “new students” section on the ISS website.
4. A bank account may be opened at the UW Credit Union(1433 Monroe Street or 77 University Square Mall, on University Av.).
5. When you have registered, you are eligible for a UW ID Card. They are issued in the Union South or the Peterson Building. Look for flyers (posters) for details on the place and the times.
6. Email is one of the main means of communication on campus. Each school has its own way of allocating email accounts, so ask your Graduate Secretary or other students in your department about how you can get an account. Once you have an email account, let IGSA know about it.
7. Every student needs a SSN. You can apply for one from either of the following places: On Campus: Officers of the Social Security Administration visit the campus. Look for flyers (posters) for details on the place and the times (or) Social Security Administration Office: You can also go to the Office directly. The address is 6502 Odana (bus route #6 and #60). You will details regarding this from your department secretary.
8. Make note of important workshop dates and enroll for them.
9. The search for an apartment should begin by finding room-mates first. Once a few of you have got together, you can walk about the campus looking for advertisements and contact phone numbers. Once you have found an apartment you have to sign a lease.
10. Once you have fixed your apartment, call TDS Metrocom (1-877-METROCOM (63876266)) Ameritech (1-800-924-1000) and ask for a telephone connection. Inform the IGSA about your phone number. You might need to call the Madison Gas and Electric Company (252-7222) for electric/gas connection.
11. Once you have found an apartment and settled down, you might want to buy groceries and other essentials. A trip to the West Towne Mall, Walmart, Woodmans, Maharaja, India House might be helpful. Talk to the other students about specifics.
12. You need not sign-up for the University’s Students Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). There are other plans also available. If you are on an assistantship, free insurance policies are available. The graduate secretary will advise you on this matter. Talk to other students about the other options.
13. You can use the Madison Metro bus service (timetables are available at the Unions or at the Madison Metro Website) for getting around. Cabs can be used for longer distances (Badger Cab: 256-5566, Union Cab: 242-2000 or Madison Taxi: 255-8294). Once you get your ID card you will be able to get a free pass to ride on the Metro bus service. These free passes are distributed by the Union at specified dates

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The venue is 1227 Engineering Hall as always.

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